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Sir Keir Starmer has stated he would “never” have appointed Peter Mandelson as the UK Ambassador to the United States had he been fully aware of the details surrounding Mandelson’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In his first public remarks since dismissing Lord Mandelson, Sir Keir affirmed that the Labour peer underwent a standard vetting process prior to his appointment. However, he added: “Had I known then what I know now, I’d have never appointed him.”
Sir Keir offered public support for Lord Mandelson in the House of Commons on Wednesday, only to reverse course and dismiss him the following day.
Opposition Members of Parliament will have an opportunity to further scrutinize the government’s actions, as the Speaker has granted the Conservatives an emergency debate on the appointment scheduled for Tuesday.
Emails, as reported by Bloomberg, revealed supportive messages sent by Lord Mandelson to Epstein in 2008 following Epstein’s guilty plea.
The leaked correspondence included passages in which Lord Mandelson encouraged Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before Epstein’s sentencing to 18 months in prison.
It is also reported that Lord Mandelson told Epstein “I think the world of you” the day before the disgraced financier began his sentence in June 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Speaking to reporters, Sir Keir suggested the messages indicated Lord Mandelson “was not only questioning but wanting to challenge the conviction of Epstein at the time”.
Lord Mandelson’s emails “cut across the whole approach that I’ve taken on violence against women and girls for many years and this government’s”, he added.
The emails showed “the nature and extent of the relationship that Peter Mandelson had with Epstein was far different to what I had understood to be the position when I appointed him.”
Sir Keir further stated he was “not at all” satisfied with Lord Mandelson’s responses to inquiries “put to him by government officials”.
The Prime Minister has faced scrutiny regarding his judgment in appointing Lord Mandelson, given the public knowledge of his friendship with Epstein.
Sir Keir maintained he was unaware of the content of the emails when he defended the US ambassador at Prime Minister’s Questions. However, he acknowledged knowing that Foreign Office officials had questioned Lord Mandelson regarding the emails.
The unfolding scandal, occurring shortly after Angela Rayner’s resignation as Deputy Prime Minister, has prompted some Labour MPs to express their increasing dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister’s leadership and the broader operations within Downing Street.
On Monday, Sir Keir encountered another setback when one of his senior aides, Paul Ovenden, resigned following the emergence of explicit messages from eight years prior concerning veteran MP Diane Abbott.
The forthcoming debate in Parliament could prove detrimental to Sir Keir’s attempts to move past the controversy ahead of US President Donald Trump’s state visit this week, and the Labour conference at the end of the month.
Labour MPs are voicing their concerns, both publicly and privately, regarding the Prime Minister’s leadership.
The Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, has requested the government provide evidence regarding the vetting and appointment process of Lord Mandelson.
Labour backbencher Richard Burgon stated on Radio 4’s Today programme that Sir Keir would be “gone” if the upcoming May elections in Scotland, Wales, and parts of England prove unfavorable for Labour.
The Conservatives have also called for the Prime Minister to release documents pertaining to Mandelson’s appointment.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Tory MP Alex Burghart questioned the extent and timing of Sir Keir’s knowledge of Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein prior to defending the former ambassador during Prime Minister’s Questions last Wednesday.
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Downing Street said the messages about the veteran MP were “appalling and unacceptable”.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson launches her Labour deputy leadership bid in Sunderland.
First Minister Eluned Morgan’s comments come after a turbulent week for the UK government.
MPs Al Carns and Dame Karen Bradley, and council leader George Finch say national flags should be a symbol of unity.
The fallout is continuing after Peter Mandelson’s sacking as UK ambassador to Washington over his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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